WRAPA gets N124. 3m MacArthur grant for women’s rights

Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) has received the MacArthur award of $750,000 for demonstrating “exceptional creativity and effectiveness” in carrying out its activities.
Its Secretary General, Saudatu Madhi, disclosed this during a celebratory press conference held at its headquarters in Abuja.
“WRAPA is one of seven nonprofit organisations around the world to receive the 2014 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions,” she said.

According to her, WRAPA works to promote and protect the rights of women whose lives are governed by the customary, common and Sharia legal systems, by helping women through provision of legal defence, public education, shelter, skills and literacy training.
She said winning the award was an affirmation of the impact the organisation had been able to make in the life of women in the country.

“WRAPA as an organisation has received the MacArthur Awards of $750,000 having demonstrated exceptional creativity and effectiveness.
WRAPA has received MacArthur support for projects that have direct bearing on well being of women and girls through its human rights programmes.

She added: “WRAPA, currently in the process of re-organising its operations to reach even more women, will use its MacArthur Award funding to complete development of a resource centre that will house a hostel and transit shelter for abused women and girls, as well as an office, library and auditorium.

“The Award will not only enhance the strengthening of WRAPA but will also significantly extend its capacity and guaranty the expansion and availability of its services to millions of Nigerian women, girls and families.”
Madhi assured that the organisation would continue to serve women and girls better, and expand the preservation of the human dignity of women irrespective of socio-economic issues.